Customer Reviews

Tragic Kingdom

5 star:		(204)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

This album album became a phenomenon in the mid-90's which was a weird time for pop music. Grunge was pretty much dead, Gangsta rap was huge and teen pop was beginning to bubble up to the front of the line. Somewhere amongst all of this, No Doubt and their album "Tragic Kingdom" became one of the decade's biggest hits. One listen says why.

This album was truly unique and sounded much different than anything that was on the radio at the time. "Don't Speak" is the pop hit it's most remembered for. An awesome power ballad, it was the #1 song of 1997. Not bad. The other singles were huge hits on MTV and on alternative radio. "Spiderwebs" is a punky piece of ear candy and "Just A Girl" has since become a punk/pop anthem. "Sunday Morning" was also a minor hit. Other stand-outs are the poppy, yet angry "Happy Now," the soaring "Climb" and my favorite song, the title track "Tragic Kingdom" which is a complete head-trip to listen to. I would've loved for it to have been a single.

No Doubt have gone on to have successful projects with "Return of Saturn" and their latest more pop-ish effort "Rock Steady" which gave them a decent handful of hits. Yet, they haven't matched "Tragic Kingdom" in sales or musically. This is highly recommended. A great CD just to blast in your car and sing along to.

I first got this album in 96, but then stopped listening to it a couple of years later when I lost the CD... anyway, I recently heard it again at a friends house and remembered why I loved it so much, and simply had to rush out to get another copy.

This is one of those rare CDs that you can listen right through without having to skip any tracks. I'd say there are maybe 5 absolute classics, 6 very good tracks and 3 okay ones. My absolute fave track on here is probably "Happy Now". Gwen just sounds so strong in the track, the lyrics really hit you ("You killed the pair / now only one is breathing / there's no looking back / this time I mean it / are you happy now?"). I also love the two biggest singles from the set, "Don't Speak" and "Just A Girl", both are classics in their own right, and I've never met anyone who doesn't like these two. My other two favorite tracks are "Sunday Morning" (sounds good on the live version if you can find the import single), and "Excuse Me Mr".

One of the great things about No Doubt are the lyrics. There's none of this "I love you and can't live without you" drivel that packs most albums these days, but every track here has some kind of significance behind it. If you read the lyrics to the title track, you should be able to draw the links between what they are saying and Disneyland (the "Magic Kingdom" becoming the "Tragic Kingdom").

This album impressed me enough to make me buy two other No Doubt albums - The Beacon Street Collection is in a similar vein to this one, but a little more hit-and-miss, but tracks like "Open The Gate", "Greener Pastures" and "Dog House" make it worth the purchase. Return Of Saturn (their latest release) is kinda weird... it's not as instantly accessible as Tragic Kingdom, but gets better with each listen.

No Doubt came from out of nowhere to reach the top of the charts with this ska-tinged cd. The album is a therapy session for lead singer and main songwriter, Gwen Stefani. She and bassist Tony Kanal were a long time couple and just prior to starting work on the album they broke up. Gwen wrote many the songs about the demise of their relationship. "Excuse Me Mr.", "Hey You", "End It On This", "Happy Now?", "Don't Speak" & "Tragic Kingdom" all deal with Gwen's hurt over the break up. In songs like "Spiderwebs", "Just A Girl", "The Climb" and "You Can Do It", Gwen is trying to cope with life after the breakup and her anger towards Tony. Matthew Wilder, who was a one hit wonder in the 80's, tempers the heavy ska music the band played with a more accessable sound. The songs are about the hurt and anger of a broken relationship, but the music has a bright and sunny feel to it. In the tradition of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, the tensions between former lovers create great music.

Gwen Stefani.The two most exciting words in music.This latest cd by CA band No Doubt is an ode to its members many song styles.The album starts with the ska-ish Spiderwebs which has Gwens voice accompanying loud blaring horns.The next track, Excuse Me MR,is a rather punk like song about lack of attention.Just A Girl is a new wave song about stereotypes portrayed in the media.Happy Now? provides a rather Alanis Morisette flavor to the cd. Different People is a look at the many groups of people in the world.Hey You is a song about crushed dreams of marriage.The Climb is simply a masterpiece about the bands trials and tribulations.Sixteen is a punk/metal song about being a misunderstood teenager.The reggae tinged Sunday Morning is a catchy song about other points of view.Dont Speak is a power ballad that talks about a great relationship going to pieces.You Can Do It is a song that adds a disco like flavor to this album. World Go Round is a song about the world today. End It On This is a break up song and Tragic Kingdom is a twisted view on Disney World. In essence this is a wonderful akbum that you should own no matter who you are.

The alterna craze of '96 was an era not an error. The musical genre was full of eerie and haunting music that was moving but it didn't exactly get you all cheery. No Doubt was different. Their music was not sad or depressing at all. Maybe the lyrics weren't the most harmonious ones in the world, but, the music certainly was. Catchy tunes that put you in a good mood and make ya wanna dance are what No Doubt are all about. The attention-drawing lead singer Gwen Stefani has a knack for really getting into the songs and making them emotional and believable. She really is the empress of ska. From the amazing singles "Just A Girl, "Don't Speak", and "Spider Webs" to the more underground but fun songs like "Happy Now", "Sixteen", "Hey You", and "Excuse Me Mr", No Doubt give you plenty to enjoy for as long as you like. Although there are songs on this album that are less enchanting and not as memorable like "Different People" and the title track "Tragic Kingdom", this band is still not a jester in their kingdom.

This was the album which made it big for No Doubt, and it deserved to do well. Spawning the hit singles 'Don't Speak', 'Just A Girl' and 'Spiderwebs', the former has entered into modern classic status. It shows a wide variety of musical styles, meaning it appeals across the borders, with Gwen Stefani's vocals simply being out of this world.

No Doubt manage to do what many bands before them have failed to - write contemplative, angry and almost sad songs to punchy rhythms and not sound ridiculous. Each track is quirky and original, with insightful comments of the old topic of relationships gone wrong or vice versa, particularly on standout 'Hey You'. Whilst maintaining their roots, No Doubt have produced a pop record of epic proportions, sounding fresh and original. Although there are several songs here that probably deserve special comment, yet 'Don't Speak' is absolutely outstanding, with yearning vocals that don't pass over into sappiness. However, my favourite track would have to 'Spiderwebs', a success in the very fact that it crosses over with pop and a more alternative stlye. The band's songwriting, vocals and powerfully persuasive image helped 'Tragic Kingdom' to become a roaring success. It's bouncy, fun and different and a definite album to treasure.

If you enjoyed this, chances are you'll also like their other albums, all of which are superb.

I bought this after hearing Don't Speak, which is still my favourite song on the album. And I'll admit, when I first listened to the CD, my initial reaction was "weird". But I always give a CD a second chance, and as I listened to the songs again, they really began to grow on me. Now they're almost addictive, and I frequently find myself humming one of the many songs which I love. It is now one of my favourite CDs and I have since went on to buy other No Doubt albums too. I have about 7 favourites, but only one song which I don't like (world go round) which is pretty impressive. Also, the songs cover a very wide range, which means it covers a wide range of tastes. There should be at least one song which you love. But probably more.

"Tragic Kingdom" is my favorite No Doubt CD. I love all of the songs. Of course, "Rock Steady," "Return of Saturn," "No Doubt," and "The Beacon Street Collection" were excellent as well, but this is my favorite. Here's my review for each song:

1. "Spiderwebs" - The first single from the album, "Spiderwebs" is a good song. All of the lyrics on each track are wonderful, and this one is no exception. The music is superb too.

2. "Excuse Me Mr." - A fast, upbeat song with a cool piano solo.

3. "Just A Girl" - The second single from the album, "Just A Girl" was probably the most popular No Doubt song, with the possible exception of "Don't Speak," and it truly deserves it. It's a great song about being young and just a girl, but not being happy with the fact.

4. "Happy Now?" - A wonderful song in which Gwen sings the question of "Are you happy now?" after he broke up with her.

5. "Different People" - One of my favorite songs on the albumb, even though they're all awesome, this song is about all of the different people in the world.

6. "Hey You" - A unique sound that includes a citar, a strange instrument, "Hey You" is great, with good lyrics and good music.

7. "The Climb" - Superb lyrics and appropriate music, this song is about perserverance and life, I'm assuming. Great.

8. "Sixteen" - As No Doubt gets a little more metalish, Gwen sings pitifully for someone who's finally turned sixteen but is still treated with no respect.

9. "Sunday Morning" - The fourth and last single on the album, "Sunday Morning" is excellent with the music and the lyrics. A great song.

10. "Don't Speak" - A slow, but majestic song, "Don't Speak" was the third single off the album, and one of the most popular No Doubt songs. Wonderful.

11. "You Can Do It" - A seventies-ish and encouraging song, the title basically explains the message behind the song. It's a really good song, one of my favorites.

12. "World Go 'Round" - A ska-ish song about how "we got to find another way to make the world go 'round."

13. "End It On This" - With obvious piano in the music, the lyrics to this song are great in portraying the message of wanting to end a relationship.

14. "Tragic Kingdom" - A highly-instrumental song, and the title track for the album, this song is a parody of the "Magic Kingdom," also known as DisneyLand in Anaheim, California, the hometown of the fabulous No Doubt. It views the Magic Kingdom tragically, as the title hints, and it's a good song. The ending concludes the song with a gradually faster continuation of the chorus until finally all of the instruments crash into one big, loud sound and are "broken."

Gwen Stefani is making her way through magical `Spiderwebs' and runs across a stranger and she says to the man, `Excuse Me Mr.' `But I'm Just a Girl' and are you `Happy Now' that there are `Different People' who continue to enjoy No Doubt's magical musical success?" He says, `Hey You,' little girl but it's `The Climb' to the top that's difficult and with this CD you've made it but if you were only `Sixteen' and it was `Sunday Morning' I'd tell you `Don't Speak', `You Can Do It' while the `World Go' Round' and `I'll End it On This', the `Tragic Kingdom' you've made for yourself is a wonderful world, you go girl!"

I don't and won't pretend to say that I'm completely up with all the terminology of today's music and such, I don't even know what the term ska means. What I will say though is that when it comes to tooling down the highway, no trip is complete without listening to this particularly superb CD.

Often times, a group such as No Doubt will produce a CD and there'll be but a scant few exceptional songs on them and the rest are a spurious waste of time; that is simply not the case with "Tragic Kingdom!" Every song on this CD is a superb wonder and highly enjoyable to listen to.

Adding to the extraordinary flavor of this CD is not only the beautiful voice that the extremely gorgeous Gwen Stefani possesses but also the eclectic nature of the songs on this CD. From punk to reggae to pop, "Tragic Kingdom" is replete and an overwhelming joy to listen to from the first song to the last! I highly recommend this CD to any and all fans that enjoy this type of music! {ssintrepid}

Released all the way back in 1995, this album went on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide (over 15 million in the US alone). This CD includes the hits Just a Girl, Spiderwebs, Don't Speak, Excuse Me Mr., and Sunday Morning.

The album opens with 1. Spiderwebs (5/5) This song is pretty much instantly catchy, and if your a person who likes to bang your head around, the chorus is perfect for that. 2. Excuse Me Mr. (4/5) This song is a pretty hardcore, in-your-face kinda song. It's probably the worst of their single releases from this album, but it's still really good. 3. Just a Girl (5/5) Now this is THE song that put No Doubt on the map. It's a girl anthem, but unlike alot of them, it isn't a man hating one! It opens with that famous, catchy guitar riff, and the song just goes from there. 4. Happy Now (4/5) I think it's pretty obvious that this song is about Gwen and Tony's break-up, but, it's not a bad song. It's pretty catchy to. 5. Different People (3/5). Another catchy song, about people being, well... different... It seems like a bit of a filler, but it's still an okay song. 6. Hey You (4/5) Lol, the chorus is kinda weird ("Your just like my Ken and Barbie doll"), but weird in a good way. The song is catchy, and I love the way they use the Sitar. 7. The Climb (4/5) Definitely the longest song on the album, topping the 6 minute mark. The only thing that keeps this song from reaching 5 stars, is the fact it seems to drag. Other than that, it's a great song.

8. Sixteen (5/5) One of my favorite songs not to be released from this album. It's really catchy, and has a great chorus. Great song. 9. Sunday Morning (5/5) I think this is one of No Doubt's most underrated songs. The big long drum roll at the beginning is great. Everything about this song is great. And, it's so damn catchy. 10. Don't Speak (5/5) My favorite song off of this album, and maybe my favorite No Doubt song ever. I mean, who hasn't heard this song. It's one of the most beautiful break-up ballads of all time. This song shot straight to #1, and became No Doubt's biggest single ever. Gwen sounds so heartbroken in this song, it gives me chills. Believe me, if you listen to this song when your sad, you might just cry. 11. You Can Do It (3/5) Another song that seems like a filler, and is probably the worst song off of the album. It's not a terrible song mind you, and is pretty catchy. 12. World Go 'Round (5/5) This is my other favorite song not to be released off of this album. Everything sounds great on this song, and it's so catchy. 14. End It on This (4/5) This is pretty good song. Another song that is most likely about Gwen and Tony's break-up. It seems to drag a bit at the end though. And finally, 15. Tragic Kingdom (4/5) I think this song is the perfect way to end the album. It's a good song, but it can be kind of confusing. It drags a bit at the end to.

All in all, this album is great. I recommend if you're looking to become a fan of No Doubt's music, you start with this album. But, if you only like a few of their songs, I'd recommend buying The Singles 1992-2003.